Media Releases

More than $7 million in funding for heavy vehicle route upgrades

September 20, 2018

Federal Member for Durack and Minister for the Environment Melissa Price says heavy vehicle routes in the Durack electorate will soon be more efficient, more reliable and safer, thanks to 10 upgrades across the electorate being funded under Round Six of the Federal Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program.

”I have been fighting for better roads and this is fantastic news for truckies travelling through our region, with my electorate receiving more than $12 million for projects right across the electorate,” Minister Price said.

Six of these upgrades are in the Kimberley and Pilbara with the Shire of Broome, the City of Karratha and the Town of Port Hedland sharing in $7,378,199 towards construction of heavy vehicle bays, extensions to existing parking bays, widening and upgrading intersections to improve heavy vehicle safety.

“Getting product from paddock to plate is a vital part of Australia’s growing agriculture and transport industries, which is why the Federal Government is investing in making those freight routes safer,” said the Minister.

"I understand how important it is to upgrade these roads – we drive them often and see firsthand the jobs and opportunities agriculture and transport brings to the Durack electorate.

“The upgrades will increase productivity for primary producers, as well as the mining and tourist industries, and improve heavy vehicle safety,” said Ms Price.

The following funding has been allocated for the North West:

In the Shire of Broome:
• $550,000 towards the upgrade of the intersections at Decastilla Street and Port Drive; and Archer Street and Port Drive.

In the Town of Port Hedland:
• $2,277,528 towards the upgrade of the intersection of Pippingarra Road and the Great Northern Highway at Newman, which will provide an alternative route for heavy vehicles.
• $149,919 towards the upgrade of the existing bypass track on Powell Road at Boodarie.

In the City of Karratha:
• $175,000 towards heavy vehicle parking bays upgrades at Mardie on the North West Coastal Highway.
• $836,406 towards widening and strengthening the intersection on Mooligunn Road.
• $3,389,346 towards construction of a road train assembly area on Madigan Road at the intersection of North West Coastal Highway.

The program provides funding to local councils and State and Territory Governments to help fund works designed to improve the safety and efficiency of important heavy vehicle routes around the nation.

“My Government continues to deliver road funding where it’s needed, based mainly on the local knowledge, especially to councils which make up more than 60 per cent of the 93 projects selected under this latest round of funding,” said Minister Price.